Abstract: Apparatuses including spark gap structures for electrical overstress (EOS) monitoring or protection, and associated methods, are disclosed. In an aspect, a spark gap array includes a sheet resistor and an array of arcing electrode pairs formed over a substrate. The array of arcing electrode pairs includes first arcing electrodes formed on the sheet resistor and a second arcing electrode arranged as a sheet formed over the first arcing electrodes and separated from the first arcing electrodes by an arcing gap. The first arcing electrodes and second arcing electrode are electrically connected to first and second voltage nodes, respectively, and the arcing electrode pairs are configured to generate arc discharges in response to an EOS voltage signal received between the first and second voltage nodes.

Abstract: Apparatuses including spark gap structures for electrical overstress (EOS) monitoring or protection, and associated methods, are disclosed. In an aspect, a spark gap device includes first and second conductive layers formed over a substrate, where the first and second conductive layers are electrically connected to first and second voltage nodes, respectively. The first conductive layer includes a plurality of arcing tips configured to form arcing electrode pairs with the second conductive layer to form an arc discharge in response to an EOS voltage between the first and second voltage nodes. The spark gap device further includes a series ballast resistor electrically connected between the arcing tips and the first voltage node, where the ballast resistor in formed in a metallization layer over the substrate and a resistance of the series ballast resistor is substantially higher than a resistance of the second conductive layer.

Abstract: Apparatuses including spark gap structures for electrical overstress (EOS) monitoring or protection, and associated methods, are disclosed. In an aspect, a vertical spark gap device includes a substrate having a horizontal main surface, a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer each extending over the substrate and substantially parallel to the horizontal main surface while being separated in a vertical direction crossing the horizontal main surface. One of the first and second conductive layers is electrically connected to a first voltage node and the other of the first and second conductive layers is electrically connected to a second voltage node. The first and second conductive layers serve as one or more arcing electrode pairs and have overlapping portions configured to generate one or more arc discharges extending generally in the vertical direction in response to an EOS voltage signal received between the first and second voltage nodes.

Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to integrated circuit devices with wear out monitoring capability. An integrated circuit device includes a wear-out monitor device configured to record an indication of wear-out of a core circuit separated from the wear-out monitor device, wherein the indication is associated with localized diffusion of a diffusant within the wear-out monitor device in response to a wear-out stress that causes the wear-out of the core circuit.

Abstract: A vehicle or shipping-container monitoring system is provided. The system is used to sample the interior environment of the container and if needed, clear a potentially hazardous material from the interior of the container prior to conventional opening. The system includes a monitoring assembly affixed to a first through-penetration in the vehicle container, an evacuation assembly affixed to a second through-penetration in the vehicle container, and an intake penetration with a cap affixed to a third through-penetration in the vehicle container. A method is also provided to assess the interior of a vehicle or shipping container for hazardous gases or vapors prior to opening the container.

Abstract: A combustor includes an outer tube having an interior space extending between first and second openings. An inner tube within the interior space extends along a centerline from a first end to a second end and defines a central passage. The first end is closed by an end wall in a fluid-tight manner. The interior space is supplied with a mixture of air and combustible fuel pre-mixed upstream of the inner tube. The inner tube has fluid directing structures for directing the pre-mixed mixture radially inward from the interior space to the central passage such that the pre-mixed mixture converges towards the central axis in a direction extending towards the second end of the inner tube.

Abstract: A burner for an appliance having a blower includes a tube extending from an inlet end to an outlet end with radially extending openings along its length. A cap closes the outlet end in a fluid-tight manner. A mixing system downstream from the blower extends into the inlet end for delivering a pre-mixed mixture of air and fuel to the interior of the tube for ignition by an igniter.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a water heater having a burner includes a tube extending longitudinally along a centerline from a first end adjacent the burner to a second end. The tube defines a passage. Strips extend within the passage and are arranged about the centerline. Each strip includes a base and fins extending from opposite sides of the base such that flue gases from the burner flow from the first end to the second end of the outer tube and in channels between the fins.

Abstract: A fuel burner includes a tube extending from a first end to a second end and having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a central passage. The central passage is supplied at the first end with a mixture of air and combustible fuel pre-mixed upstream of the tube. The second end is closed by an end wall in a fluid-tight manner. The tube includes fluid directing structure for directing the pre-mixed mixture radially outward from the central passage to an exterior of the tube such that the pre-mixed mixture rotates radially about the central axis along the exterior of the tube.

Abstract: A flow control device for an appliance including a burner and a blower for delivering a pre-mixed mixture of air and gas to the burner includes a flange defining an opening through which the pre-mixed mixture of air and gas flows from an outlet of the blower to the burner. A damper plate is provided in the opening downstream of the blower for increasing a static pressure at the outlet of the blower during ignition of the burner.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a water heater having a burner includes a tube extending longitudinally along a centerline from a first end adjacent the burner to a second end. The tube defines a passage. Strips extend within the passage and are arranged about the centerline. Each strip includes a base and fins extending from opposite sides of the base such that flue gases from the burner flow from the first end to the second end of the outer tube and in channels between the fins.

Abstract: A flue collector box for a furnace having a cooling coil, a heat exchanger, and an inducer blower includes a housing having an interior chamber in fluid communication with the heat exchanger such that condensation generated in the heat exchanger flows to the interior chamber of the housing. A valve is connected to the housing and includes a pair of lips defining a fluid passage through the valve in fluid communication with the interior chamber. The lips have an open condition allowing condensation to exit the valve when the inducer blower is deactivated. The lips have a closed condition forcefully engaging one another when the inducer blower is activated to prevent condensation from exiting the valve.

Abstract: A fuel burner includes a tube extending along a centerline from a first end to a second end and having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a central passage. The central passage is supplied at the first end with a mixture of air and combustible fuel pre-mixed upstream of the tube. The second end is closed by an end wall in a fluid-tight manner. The tube has fluid directing structure for directing the pre-mixed mixture radially outward from the central passage to an exterior of the tube such that flames exiting adjacent fluid directing structures extend towards and impinge one another.

Abstract: An assembly for a water heater having a burner includes a tube extending longitudinally along a centerline from a first end adjacent the burner to a second end. The first end includes a flared portion extending away from the centerline. A partition is provided downstream of the burner and includes an opening having a curved flange defining an opening for receiving the flared portion of the tube.

Abstract: A flue collector box for a furnace having a cooling coil, a heat exchanger, and an inducer blower includes a housing having an interior chamber in fluid communication with the heat exchanger such that condensation generated in the heat exchanger flows to the interior chamber of the housing. A valve is connected to the housing and includes a pair of lips defining a fluid passage through the valve in fluid communication with the interior chamber. The lips have an open condition allowing condensation to exit the valve when the inducer blower is deactivated. The lips have a closed condition forcefully engaging one another when the inducer blower is activated to prevent condensation from exiting the valve.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a water heater having a burner includes an outer tube extending longitudinally along a centerline from a first end adjacent the burner to a second end. Indentations are formed along the length of the outer tube and extend towards the centerline. An inner member extends through the outer tube and between the indentations such that flue gases from the burner flow in a passage between the inner member and the outer tube from the first end to the second end of the outer tube.

Abstract: A burner for use with an igniter for firing a flame into a heat-exchanger includes a body having a sidewall that defines an interior chamber. A first opening in the body receives a pre-mixed mixture of air and fuel. A second opening in the body is in fluid communication with the first opening. A distributor is connected to the body and closes the second opening. The distributor includes a first portion and at least one curved second portion provided on the first portion. Each second portion includes a plurality of first perforations in fluid communication with the first opening in the body. The first perforations of one second portion are positioned adjacent to the igniter such that ignition of the pre-mix mixture flowing through the first perforations results in a flame through the second portion. A flange extends around the first portion and includes second perforations.

Abstract: A burner for use with an igniter for firing a flame into a heat-exchanger includes a body having a sidewall that defines an interior chamber. A first opening in the body receives a pre-mixed mixture of air and fuel. A second opening in the body is in fluid communication with the first opening. A distributor connected to the body closes the second opening. The distributor includes a first portion and at least one curved second, portion provided on the first portion. Each second portion includes a plurality of first perforations in fluid communication with the first opening in the body. The first perforations of one second portion are positioned adjacent to the igniter such that ignition of the pre-mix mixture flowing through the first perforations results in a flame through the second portion.

Abstract: A fuel burner includes a tube extending from a first end to a second end and including a central passage and fluid directing structure for directing a mixture of air and combustible fuel radially through the tube. The fluid directing structure collectively defines a total flow area. A blocking member is axially movable within the central passage between a first condition blocking a first percentage of the total flow area and a second condition blocking a second percentage of the total flow area different from the first percentage to control the flow of the mixture of air and combustible fuel through the fluid directing structure from the first end to the second end of the tube to be ignited.

Abstract: A fluid directing structure for a direct fired appliance having a heating space, a burner for providing heat to the heating space, and an exhaust includes a duct. The duct includes a first passage extending from a first end adjacent the burner to a second end fluidly connected to the exhaust. A second passage extends from a first end fluidly connected to the first passage to a second end fluidly connected to the heating space. A damper is connected to the duct and has a first condition directing fluid flow from the first end of the first passage to the second end of the first passage while preventing fluid flow to the second passage. The damper has a second condition directing fluid flow from the first end of the first passage to the second passage while preventing fluid flow to the second end of the first passage.